Multimedia
Video
Canada's Indian Act marks 150 years
Produced by CBC News | April 13, 2026
April marks 150 years of Canada's Indian Act. It is colonial legislation designed to assimilate First Nations people into the broader Canadian society. Despite amendments, the act is still in effect today and although it remains largely problematic, it has proved difficult to abolish outright. Joy SpearChief-Morris and CBC Radio's The House did a deep dive into the history of the legislation.
Photo by Gavin John for The Narwhal
Fire for good: First Nations are bringing back cultural burns
Produced by The Narwhal | April 10, 2026
Members of the Blood Tribe, also known as the Kainai Nation, are restoring the land in the traditional way, for the first time in decades: by embracing fire. Freelance journalist Joy SpearChief-Morris and photographer Gavin John visited the nation for four days to witness their cultural burn.
Weighing in on Carney’s first year as prime minister
Produced by APTN | March 19, 2026
Host Fraser Needham chats with guests on what the prime minister has or has not done yet in office, including talking about the proposed second-generation cut off to the Indian Act.
Advocates say non-insured health benefits for First Nations and Inuit needs improving
Produced by CBC Indigenous | January 22, 2026
The federal program that pays for things not covered under medicare for status First Nations and Inuit is being criticized by health-care advocates for falling behind modern standards.
Gaps in the federal health benefits program for First Nations and Inuit
Produced by CBC Indigenous | January 21, 2026
The Non-Insured Health Benefits program pays for things not covered under medicare, like prescription drugs or glasses, for eligible First Nations people and Inuit but the program is criticized for being outdated and complicated.
Medicine chest clause explained
Produced by CBC Indigenous | January 21, 2026
How did we get from the medicine chest treaty clause to the Non-Insured Health Benefits program? Joy SpearChief-Morris unpacks its history.
Post-reconciliation, pre-reckoning: A year in Indigenous–federal relations
Produced by APTN | December 18, 2025
On this episode of Nation to Nation, three journalists who’ve spent the year covering Indigenous–federal politics sat down for a blunt look at where things stand. The verdict? Canada may have entered a post-reconciliation era — and the cracks are starting to show.
Assembly of First Nations honours Elijah Harper
Produced by CBC Indigenous | December 3, 2025
Elijah Harper from Red Sucker Lake First Nation in Manitoba was most known for saying no to the Meech Lake Accord in 1990, blocking amendments to the Constitution because discussions had excluded Indigenous peoples. Harper died in 2013.
Hanomansing Tonight
Produced by CBC News | December 2, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney faces questions from First Nations chiefs at the AFN Special Chiefs Assembly in Ottawa. Joy SpearChief-Morris joins Sarah Galashan to discuss what happened.
Photo by Justin Tang for Canadian Press
Carney budget cuts Indigenous departments’ spending by 2%
Produced by CBC Indigenous | November 5, 2025
Indigenous communities can expect nearly $2.3 billion in spending cuts over the next four years with limited new spending for clean drinking water, consultations on major projects and Arctic infrastructure like airports, seaports and roads.
Food banks, dieticians say infant formula out of reach for some Ottawa families
Produced by CBC News | November 1, 2025
The 2025 Nutritious Food Basket prepared by Ottawa Public Health looked at the affordability of infant formula for the first time.
Reconciliation, rebranded: Nation to Nation looks at what's happening in federal politics
Produced by APTN | October 9, 2025
The Liberal government hasn’t changed, but Mark Carney’s take on reconciliation have. Host Karyn Pugliese talks with a panel of journalists about what that means.
Is this the BEST Team Canada we've seen going into World Championships in Tokyo?
Produced by CBC Sports | August 20, 2025
Hosts Perdita Felicien and Aaron Brown react to an incredible weekend from Team Canada at the NACAC Championships and beyond. They're joined by Joy Spearchief-Morris, former Canadian hurdler, who explains why this version of Team Canada is poised to do big things at Tokyo 2025.
Live Interviews
Photo by Curtis Perry
"The Knowing" with Tanya Talaga
Produced by Ottawa International Writers' Festival | September 30, 2024
Joy SpearChief-Morris interviews critically acclaimed and award-winning author Tanya Talaga about her new book and accompanying documentary, "The Knowing."
Radio and Podcasts
The Decibel
Produced by The Globe and Mail | August 3, 2023
Western preconceived notions about bears being deadly have led to dire consequences for bears. But the relationship and safety around bears is different with Indigenous communities and wildlife conservation groups, which have long learned how to coexist with the big mammals.
We are joined by Joy SpearChief-Morris, a staff reporter with The Globe and Mail. She’s going to break down bear misconceptions and tell us how to respect bears when you encounter them.
Mornings with Simi, 980 CKNW
Produced by 980 CKNW | July 18, 2023
"Are bears as dangerous as we think?" Joy SpearChief-Morris joins Simi Sara to talk about the preconceptions of grizzly bears in relation to her reporting for The Narwhal.
BBC News, Radio 4
Produced by BBC | July 24, 2022
Joy SpearChief-Morris speaks to host William Crawley, on the BBC News Radio 4 Sunday Program about the Papal Visit to Canada and what it will mean for Indigenous communities.
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Interview begins at 22:49
Audio Production
Photo courtesy of Parks Canada
Bear Stories
Published via Soundcloud | April 7, 2023
Our experiences with bears are as individual as the people that encounter them. Explore the stories of bear encounters experienced by some of the people who contributed to this story.
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Produced in part for master's research project for Carleton University Master of Journalism Program.